Rookie Andre Drummond making case to be part of Detroit Pistons rotation with strong preseason

'Andre has done a lot of good things. He definitely brings something that we didn't have.' -- Lawrence Frank.

AP File PhotoRookie center Andre Drummond has been the Pistons leading rebounder and shot blocker in six preseason games.

AUBURN HILLS – The Detroit Pistons are getting closer to
finalizing the rotation they'll use in next week's season opener against the
Houston Rockets and rookie Andre Drummond is making a strong case to be part of
it.

The 6-foot-10 center from Connecticut has appeared in all
six preseason games and has been arguably one of the Pistons top players.

In 18 minutes per game, he leads the Pistons in shooting
percentage (.651), rebounds (5.8) and blocks (1.5) while ranking third in
scoring (9.8).

Coach Lawrence Frank isn't ready to commit to a rotation –
or even how many players will be in it – but with only two preseason games
remaining, time is running out for him to make some decisions.

"You continue to evaluate based on their play but Andre has
done a lot of good things," Frank said. "He definitely brings something that we
didn't have. He has length and athleticism. The good thing is he's rebounded
the ball, which is very encouraging, and you notice him in the game.

"He has a lot of work to be done. We think he has a very
high ceiling. Long, long ways to go but ... he's definitely been impactful in the
minutes he's been in."

Drummond's best preseason performance might have been in a
108-91 loss in Miwaukee two weeks ago. He had 19 points, 10 rebounds – including
seven on the offensive end – two blocks and two assists.

Drummond averaged 2.7 blocks during his only collegiate
season and having somebody in the paint to keep opponents honest is something the
Pistons need now that Ben Wallace is no longer on the team.

"He's a really fabulous guy to coach," Frank said. "I can't say enough about the type of person he is and how willing a learner he is. That's
why we have such great faith that over time he'll continue to get better.

"But like all our players, there's still a lot of work to be
done."

Especially considering Drummond celebrated his 19th birthday less than three months ago.

He's still going to experience growing pains as he did Saturday night during
a 105-78 setback in Miami, when he picked up four fouls in the first half and
had to sit out the first 7½ minutes of the second half.

Still, he managed to grab a team-high eight rebounds while scoring
nine points.

"He played one year of college basketball," Frank said. "It's
a huge adjustment. The monotonous, tedious stuff that you have to do to be a
really good player and a good team, with all due respect in college it's not
every day of doing that.

"There's more stuff he's been exposed to in three weeks than
he was exposed to in a year (of college) just because the basketball IQ at this
level is the top of the food chain. He's getting there. He's making progress.

"I didn't really have expectations. To me, I just look at
his daily habits. I didn't go in with the intention of how long it would take
him because I never coached him before."

The Pistons (3-3) will face the Minnesota Timberwolves
Wednesday night in Winnipeg, Canada before closing out the preseason Friday
night against the Atlanta Hawks at The Palace.